Taking the pledge

Together we can RISE up for understanding, respect and equality. Take the pledge to show your commitment to ending racism. I PLEDGE to treat everyone with respect and dignity. I will not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind. I will speak up whenever I know discrimination is happening and I will stand up for victims.

RISE CEO Jocelyn Benson moderated a panel discussion Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017, as a pre-event to the student-led Michigan Sport Business Conference at the University of Michigan. Members of various student organizations, including the conference, Black Business Undergraduate Society, Hispanic Business Students Organization and Sport Business Association, attended the diversity conversation at the university’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business. Panelists were Jamar Adams, U-M alumnus and former student-athlete; Greg Harden, executive associate athletic director, U-M Athletic Department; and Maurice Hurst, U-M student-athlete. The conference will be Friday, Oct. 6.

The New York Liberty partnered with RISE to host a Unity Game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2017, when the Liberty played host to the Minnesota Lynx. The unity theme was reflected in programming throughout the day, including a panel discussion, concourse activations such as RISE’s It Takes All Colors signature photo booth, fan giveaways and community outreach. The panel featured Kristen Clarke, president and executive director, national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; A. Shabazz, author and motivational speaker; Chief Juanita Holmes of the New York Police Department; William Rhoden, sports journalist and writer-at-large for The Undefeated; Sue Wicks, New York Liberty legend; and Tanisha Wright, New York Liberty veteran. Moderator was Michael Eric Dyson, Georgetown University professor, author and political commentator. Leading up to the game, the Liberty and Lynx players locked arms in a show of solidarity on court during the performance of the national anthem. Special guests attending the game were teammates of Mount Vernon basketball standout Shamoya McKenzie, who died at age 13 when she was struck by a stray bullet this past New Year’s Eve. RISE and the New York Liberty had presented a leadership session Sunday, Aug. 13, for the Mount Vernon student-athletes at The Garden. At halftime, New York Liberty President Isiah Thomas and RISE CEO Jocelyn Benson were interviewed. After the Liberty-Lynx game, officers from the 10th precinct competed in a fantasy game on The Garden floor against youth from Covenant House, a Garden of Dreams Foundation partner that serves homeless youth.

RISE received a Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award and a $100,000 grant from ESPN for leadership in improving race relations and driving social progress. RISE founder Stephen M. Ross accepted the award Tuesday, July 11, 2017, at the third annual Sports Humanitarian Awards in Los Angeles. The event honored leagues, teams, individuals and members of the sporting community that are using the power of sports to make a positive impact on society. In honor of former ESPN commentator Stuart Scott, the award celebrates individuals and organizations that have taken risks and used an innovative approach to helping the disadvantaged through the power of sports.

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER ALL-STAR SOCCER CELEBRATION

RISE presented its It Takes All Colors fan activation leading up to the 2017 Major League Soccer All-Star Game on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, at Soldier Field in Chicago. The activation took place during Soccer Celebration, the fan experience prior to the game.

Erin Pellegrino, RISE’s vice president, events & programming, spoke Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at the U.S. Olympic Committee’s 24th annual FLAME (Finding Leaders Among Minorities Everywhere) Program at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. FLAME is designed to inspire undergraduate and graduate students of color to pursue careers within the Olympic and Paralympic movements. Twenty-seven student leaders from colleges and universities across the country were selected to participate in the eight-day program.

USC VS. CAL BASEBALL GAME

Fans visited RISE's It Takes All Colors fan activation booth and took the RISE pledge Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the University of Southern California vs. University of California, Berkeley baseball game. The Pac-12 Conference is one of RISE's collegiate partners.

The Miami Dolphins hosted their annual 7-on-7 football tournament in June, 2016, which brings together the top football players in South Florida. RISE conducted a character-building session on team building and breaking down barriers during the tournament' symposium. RISE also activated It Takes All Colors during the tournament for the athletes and fans to speak up against racism.

RISE CEO Jocelyn Benson participated in the Corporate Social Responsibility panel, students stood up against discrimination at our It Takes All Colors photo booth and our founder Stephen Ross capped off a great day at the Michigan Sport Business Conference with the keynote address.

RISE participated Friday, March 17, in the Golden State Warriors "Peaceful Warriors Summit." The event brought 300 middle and high school student together for a day of talking about personal biases and anti-bullying. The students also came through RISE’s It Takes All Colors photo booth to speak up against racism.

More than 400 Pac-12 gymnastics fans stopped by our It Takes All Colors booth at the Pac-12 gymnastics championships on March 18 to speak up against racism. RISE also showcased the unity taking place throughout the event, as eight teams from the conference came together to compete for the title.